Healthy diet for monks introduced

2012-12-16 13:23:44

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The Health Ministry today introduced a set of guidelines for devotees to follow during the preparation of alms for Buddhist monks, as part of the religious themed programs held on the sixth day of the National Health Week.

Health Ministry Spokesman W. A. D. Wanninayake speaking to Daily Mirror said the guidelines were introduced as a response to several requests made by monks who wished for a set of guidelines that would promote healthy options during the preparation and serving of alms.

“It has been discovered that most monks have developed a risk of developing non-communicable diseases as a result of consuming unhealthy food served to them during alms that are rich in sugar, oil and salt. The new set of guidelines will assist the devotees in making smarter choices when deciding which foods to prepare during an alms giving,” he said.

According to Health Ministry statistics, 50% of the total of 40,000 venerated monks in the country face the risk of developing diabetes as opposed to the national average of 10 percent.

The set of guidelines that has been prepared by the Medical Research Institute (MRI) Nutrition Department official Dr. Renuka Jayatissa issues a warning on the use of oil, sugar and salt. Hence, certain restrictions have been placed in choosing food as well as in the preparation process of the alms in this new formula.

The guidelines advise the devotees to use long-grained rice and to choose at least three varieties of vegetables and two varieties of fruits when deciding the list of foods to be prepared for the alms. (Lakna Paranamanna)

Comments - 66

Curious Sunday, 16 December 2012 16:28

What about the rest of the country ?

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arjuna Monday, 17 December 2012 03:42

rest should make their own and avoid junk, wheat full salty and sweetened foods. also they should work hard as earlier days; If you do not have enough land use your own foot for shorter distances. Monks do not work hard and they receive wealthy foods as alms they cant refuse what the devotee allows.

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PoliticallyIncorrect Monday, 17 December 2012 03:56

Oh thanks for informing me that the rest of the country lives on food provided by others too. In my case i buy my own food - am i an exception?

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Star Monday, 17 December 2012 05:54

Then buy some healthy food.

926

Seeya Monday, 17 December 2012 04:48

The vast majority of the population consumes too much oil, sugar and salt. Almost everything is fried in oil, sugar in double or triple quantities is dumped into milk tea, already laden with full-cream milk powder, and salt is added even before tasting to know how much might be needed.

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328

Janaki Kalansuriya Monday, 17 December 2012 01:12

and the Menu cards at certain Temples, especially in Kandy?

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Hiru-Nikan Monday, 17 December 2012 02:55

And, Temple Trees?.

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Mohan Monday, 17 December 2012 01:41

i thought monks suppose to follow budha foot path

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Hiru-Nikan Monday, 17 December 2012 02:56

No need to eat everything offered, for instance meat or beef!!

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conty Monday, 17 December 2012 11:31

Don't understand this side of the menu. Alms mostly incl. fish no beef. It is still a living creature that was killed to feed the needs of mankind. If alms incl. beef is he obliged to consume this?? Interesting!!!!!!!

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perumal Monday, 17 December 2012 18:05

Yes, that seems right. How was this "problem" managed during Lord Buddha's time?

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Punchi Monday, 17 December 2012 04:17

Yes they did and some they do. But we have spoilt them with extravagance. As a start I suggest we stop offering fish and meat at Dhanes, after all doesn't it break the FIRST PRECEP....!!!

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551

ANTON Monday, 17 December 2012 01:45

I also want to become a monk.

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conty Monday, 17 December 2012 11:34

What is the main reason? Is it food or s- -? You could have both, most do!

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xlntgson Monday, 17 December 2012 02:43

Prepare three recipes! If they can separate diabetic, blood pressured and cholestrol high etc.

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Osho... Monday, 17 December 2012 02:52

They must sacrifice their food for other vulnerable sectors of their community where they live......Saints ate what they were offered and lived a long life......

Monks can tell devotees at the point of fixing the date of alms giving to use salt, sugar and oil in moderation with out specifying a menu.

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419

Mason Monday, 17 December 2012 04:23

Get the monks to exercise to prevent diabetes. They have enough and more time on their hands.Pay attention to Children and aged people, mostly in rural areas, who are malnourished.

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539

danushke Monday, 17 December 2012 09:01

well said.. let them do some work to cover the free food and accomodation. Also they should share the collection box with the needy village people.

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Noel Silva Monday, 17 December 2012 04:34

The need to intervene by the health ministry is nothing to do with Buddhist values or what the Buddha preached, it is do with observing the correct preparation and consumption of food. please don't make it a religious issue. I t is a modern day life style issue. Observe the principles of correct thought, correct deed and correct action.

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Vernon Tuesday, 18 December 2012 01:40

Then it should be applicable for all citizens

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Vernon Monday, 17 December 2012 04:41

These guidelines should be given by the monk leaders, may be after obtaining recommendations from Health Ministry. If not some monks may not be happy with the alms given, as seen from the menus given out by some temples.

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ravi Monday, 17 December 2012 04:48

Is issuing guidelines on how to prepare " Dana " compatible with what Lord Buddha preached? What the priests should do is refrain from eating too much, not directing the laymen on what should be on the menu...

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human Monday, 17 December 2012 05:02

i though monks want to eat from "pidapatha" that mean what ever the people give all put together & eat.nw days this bugger giving 5 star menus for them.hey stupid heath ministry u kw frm 90% human frm SL struggling with diabetics & etc.....

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Hardball Monday, 17 December 2012 05:40

This for the monks in and around Colombo. The monks in small villages and even small temples get very simple meals. This can be seen by the physic of the monks.

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meenavan Monday, 17 December 2012 05:55

Only in diet ....???

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117

capucine Monday, 17 December 2012 06:36

Now that a PC member recommend that prostitutes be imported, why not consult the monks in towns and villages of the quality to be imported.Standard bore or + bore

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Nihal Monday, 17 December 2012 06:14

What about Meat?. Now a days they do not accept DANA with out meat

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Hemantha Senanayake Monday, 17 December 2012 07:27

The monks are allowed to refuse what do they do not wish to consume. They do not HAVE to eat all that is offered!! They should exercise their discretion

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KANDEGEDARA Monday, 17 December 2012 07:37

KAHAPALLA, BEEPALLA, JOLLY KARAPALLA

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mamath Monday, 17 December 2012 07:56

If our leaders were in India during the times of Biddha parinibbana, we could have prevented Sukara maddava through these guidelines..

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Sammy Monday, 17 December 2012 08:01

A lot has changed in 2600 years, hasn't it?

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Aney Machang Monday, 17 December 2012 08:12

Healthy dief for the Nations will follow suite! lol

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puff Monday, 17 December 2012 08:13

burning issue on top

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maharaja Monday, 17 December 2012 08:37

my menu

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maharaja Monday, 17 December 2012 08:57

parippui paanui

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justinian Monday, 17 December 2012 09:33

long grained Rice and vegetables will reduce their fat body.

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sbd Monday, 17 December 2012 09:55

Even staples are so expensive,people are forced to forego meals daily even without guidelines!Soon guidelines will be needed for malnutrition under UPFA!

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Apsara Monday, 17 December 2012 10:07

At last some one taking care about beloved monks. All of their needs shall be understand and to be fulfilled by the society at large in order to get the best outcome from them.

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Sam Monday, 17 December 2012 10:37

They should expect all kind of diseases cos they dont even stand for the national anthem.....

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raviraj Monday, 17 December 2012 11:17

is this the job of the MOH, don't they have anything else to do, go investigate the corpses in the hospital backyard.

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wild Monday, 17 December 2012 11:31

Western buffet is the best .sure the monks will love it too.

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Justin Keppetiyagama Monday, 17 December 2012 12:04

Set of guidelines should be issued to the canteen of our law makers also. We have to protect our law makers from both communicable diseases as well as non-communicable diseases.

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Lokka Monday, 17 December 2012 14:01

HOW ABOUT INTRODUCING A HEALTHY DIET TO IN THE PARLIAMENT CANTEEN TOO. I SUGGEST KOLA KANDA, BROWN RICE, A FEW VEGETABLES AND 3 EGGS A WEEK.

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kirala Tuesday, 18 December 2012 05:11

Why, there's cereals and treacle for breakfast there as requested by a certain parliamentarian with a flowery name.........

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pathi Monday, 17 December 2012 14:42

lot of fools in Srianka don't know whether who is monk and how should be his life pattern?

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hewa Monday, 17 December 2012 14:52

I doubt whether this proposed healthy menu is acceptable to those elite bhikkus living in luxury asapuwas in colombo!

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shihan Monday, 17 December 2012 15:09

Do I really have to pay my tax for this?

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nesh Monday, 17 December 2012 15:44

Is this an important issue at the moment?

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Upul Monday, 17 December 2012 22:15

No. it is eyewash and a red herring, to deflect interest away from the more importamt issues.

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07

Julius Caesar Tuesday, 18 December 2012 03:21

" Before making suggestions for the preparations of Dana for Venerable Biksus increase our salaries to find some money to allocate for such Punna karma because my children are crying without sufficient bread at home in the morning and night? "

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kirala Tuesday, 18 December 2012 05:10

It is not an important issue at the moment, but there's nothing wrong with doing this. After all, this is not like removing taxes on sports cars, you know..........

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Yehiya Monday, 17 December 2012 17:29

There are burning problems, looking minor incidents.

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sach Tuesday, 18 December 2012 03:56

acts of this gov like this makes the buddhists look like idiots and jokers infront of the world. Idiotic bikkus are a good tool for these politicians.

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raviraj Tuesday, 18 December 2012 03:59

how about some cereals and bees honey, surely what is good for the MP's should also be good for the monks.

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Cobra Tuesday, 18 December 2012 04:05

Such a diet should be introduced to the Parliament too!

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Raveya Tuesday, 18 December 2012 04:08

I wish we can wipe out all the monks in sr Lanka...

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Jamieson Tuesday, 18 December 2012 04:38

Googy, at last we could see some lean monks.

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HKS Tuesday, 18 December 2012 04:42

If buddhist monks want to maintain a good health they should

1 practice pidapaatha2.walk instead of travelling by vehicles

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senavi Tuesday, 18 December 2012 04:42

There would have been no issue if no meals after noon has been observed

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Christopher Tuesday, 18 December 2012 05:01

After this let them go on attacking Minority Religeous places?

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00

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